US woman describes 'joy of locking eyes with a great white shark'

An American woman has swum with great white sharks without any protective gear
to prove they do not deserve their murderous reputation.

Ms Ramsey believes sharks have been the victim of media sensationalism that seeks to portray them as vicious killersPhoto: Caters News

1:35PM GMT 05 Mar 2013

Ocean Ramsey, 27, a shark conservationist based on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, swam with the predators in the waters of Baja, Mexico.

Ms Ramsey, a model, said she believes a hands-on approach with her subject is necessary to convince people that sharks are not the vicious creatures portrayed in films.

She said: "It's difficult to express the incredible joy and breathtaking emotion experienced locking eyes with a great white shark.

"Watching the shark acknowledge and observe me, while I peacefully and calmly allowed it to swim towards me, and then experiencing it accepting my touch, allowing me to dorsal and tail ride."

Ms Ramsey told Australia's Daily Telegraph: "The goal was to go and find some great white sharks and collect video footage of their natural behaviour, but also, if the opportunity arose and the conditions were right, to actually interact with them.